Chin Reduction

A chin reduction is a cosmetic procedure which seeks to reshape your jawline. Also known as reduction mentoplasty or genioplasty, chin reductions generally involve surgery to sculpt your bone contours. However, non-surgical procedures can also be used to reduce fat around your chin.

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ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

HOW DOES IT WORK?

What is chin reduction?

Chin reduction involves reducing the width or length of an individual's chin. Usually, it is carried out via surgery known as either mentoplasty or genioplasty. These procedures are invasive operations, which require the removal of excess bone mass, and are carried out under general anaesthetic.
In other instances, non-surgical chin reductions are possible, but these procedures do not have the effect of reshaping the individual's jaw - the primary aim of the procedure. Instead, they simply alter tissues and fat deposits around the jaw and neck.

How does chin reduction work?

Chin reductions are relatively simple procedures, which adjust the contours of the patient's jaw bone. By skillfully reshaping this bone, surgeons can make chin shapes shorter, rounder, and narrower - creating a more aesthetically pleasing result.

The general procedure is as follows:
1.
Initially patients will attend consultations with their cosmetic surgeon. This is an important session where you can discuss the desired outcomes and nature of the procedure. A date for surgery will be arranged, and you will be given advice about what to eat and medicines to avoid in the run up to the operation.
2.
When the operation date arrives, it will be necessary to organise an in-patient stay. Immediately prior to the procedure, patients will be administered a general anaesthetic to ensure that surgery is pain-free.
3.
During surgery, doctors will make an incision to access the chin bone. This may be inside the mouth, but can also be underneath the chin.In either case, the next step is to physically reshape the end of the chin to achieve the desired result. This is carried out using a surgical saw, and generally takes over 1 hour.
4.
Bone contouring may be accompanied by soft tissue manipulation and removal of fat deposits to enhance the effect of chin reduction surgery. When this has been concluded, the incision will be sealed and dressed.
5.
Patients can then usually leave hospital within 2 days. The surgical wound will heal within 1-2 weeks, and final results should be visible around 6 weeks after surgery.

Are there different types of chin reduction?

There are two different surgical forms of chin reduction. If the incision is made below the chin, it is described as submental. This type of procedure is generally preferred if bone mass needs to be removed from the tip and base of the chin, as it provides easy access for burring or cutting tools.Incisions inside the mouth may be required for narrowing procedures, which seek to reduce the width of the chin. However, this method is less common and the vast majority of procedures are submental operations.

Surgery is the only way to reshape an individual's chin profile permanently. However, other methods may be used to alter the appearance of a person's chin, giving the effect of reducing its size.
The most common procedure to achieve this is micro-liposuction. As with normal liposuction techniques, this aims to remove fat from the chin region. It typically requires a hospital admission, and is often used in conjunction with chin reduction surgery to achieve enhanced results.

What should I expect?

When undergoing chin reduction surgery, it is important to be clear about your goals. Patients must specify to their surgeons the degree of reduction, and the end point that they wish to achieve. It is advisable to consult closely with your surgeon at this stage, as their in-depth knowledge about facial structures will help to turn your aspirations into permanent changes.

The procedure itself is usually free of complications, but as it is an invasive procedure, patients should expect some discomfort following surgery. Be prepared to reduce your activity for a week or two after your chin reduction. It is also advisable to avoid intense physical activities such as heavy lifting or workouts.

The vast majority of patients can expect full healing within 1-2 months of their operation. Be realistic about your surgery and healing process, don't expect to see the full results of your chin reduction within a week of your surgery. It takes time for the muscles in your face to relax and find their natural state, and healing continues long after the surgery concludes.
In the long term, expect permanent changes to your appearance. In case you are not satisfied with the results, revision surgery should be possible.

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Insider tips

Check out our curated list of tips and things to keep in mind before, during, and after your treatment.

Before treatment

Having a chin reduction is a major decision. It's important to talk through your options with a fully-qualified surgeon. In some cases, alternative procedures or treatments may be preferable, and expert surgeons are well placed to provide advice.

Before surgery, follow any advice about diet, reduce your alcohol consumption, and avoid medications like NSAIDs.

During treatment

Try to relax during the period before surgery. Remember that major complications are extremely rare and that the procedure will only take a couple of hours.

Most patients will also require assistance following their operation. The effects of anaesthetic can take time to wear off, and drowsiness could make driving risky. So try to ensure a relative or friend can take you home from the hospital.

After treatment

Have a plan in place for increasing your activity levels. Avoid exercise for a week or two, but try to resume a normal healthy lifestyle as soon as the incision site heals.

Straight after surgery, you may struggle to chew. So have a stock of soups and smoothies ready to eat, and some straws to help you load up on healthy nutrients. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle so your body can actively heal.

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Can injections be used for chin reduction?

Injections cannot be used to reshape jawbones or carry out full chin reductions. However, injections are available to reduce excess fat beneath the chin, otherwise known as a 'double chin' reduction. Medications such as Kybella can be used to induce the decomposition of submental fat, and can be carried out in under 10 minutes.

What is a submental chin reduction?

In a submental chin reduction, surgeons use an incision placed below the patient's chin. This incision can then be used to access the base of the chin, allowing surgeons to carry out resculpting procedures.